Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
This condition is commonly given to a group of injuries affecting the muscles, tendons and nerves primarily of the neck and upper limbs.
However it actually covers much more, namely:
• Back pain
• Shoulder pain
• Constant muscle spasms
• Tendonitis (inflamed tendons)
• Calf injury
• Tendon damage
Please click titles for further information;
TYPES OF R.S.I.
There are two types of RSI:-
• Specific - these include well defined syndromes such as;
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (pain and compression in the wrist),
- Tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon), tenosynovitis (inflammation of a tendon sheath),
- Frozen shoulder,
- Bursitis (inflamed bursa),
- Tennis/Golfer's elbow
• Diffuse - this is where there is no clear-cut diagnosis but a range of symptoms exist.
POSTURE
Many of the above can be traced back to poor posture and repetitive actions;
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include:
It is not a life threatening injury but it has the potential to cause crippling pain and disability, and perhaps more importantly hinder the action it stems from.
- (i.e. typing) whilst sitting at a computer desk for more than a few hours a day.
- Having said this many people taking part in certain sports
- as well as playing a musical instrument
- or working on a factory production line can suffer these conditions from repetitive actions.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include:
- a dull ache, throbbing, numbness,
- tingling, swelling, weakness,
- cramps and tightness in the affected area.
It is not a life threatening injury but it has the potential to cause crippling pain and disability, and perhaps more importantly hinder the action it stems from.
PREVENTABLE
The condition is preventable and treatable.
- It is advisable not to ignore the early warning signs, the earlier expert advice is sought, the easier the management and recovery will be.
- Often resting the specific action and icing the area goes a long way in reducing the inflammation.
Where conditions are named in this site it is either because there is research into that particular condition, or to serve to illustrate the kinds of symptoms which might respond to treatment.
